“MI HAVE MATCH-WINNERS AND A KNACK FOR RISING TO THE OCCASION — THAT’S WHAT MAKES THEM DANGEROUS” - SANJAY MANJREKAR

May 18, 2025

Speaking exclusively on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Aaron Finch shared his views on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) being knocked out of the tournament: "It didn’t start well for them. Andre Russell, being the match-winner that he is and has been for such a long time, was batting too far down the order for much of the tournament. He simply wasn’t given the opportunities to influence games the way he can. They’ve only got themselves to blame. They almost kicked themselves after that last game against CSK – it was theirs to win. The match was almost wrapped up, and they still couldn’t cross the line, which turned out to be an incredible win for Chennai. Throughout the season, there were too many moments where KKR just didn’t click."
JioStar expert Sanjay Manjrekar commented on the gesture by fans during the RCB-KKR match as they paid tribute to Virat Kohli: "The love that the fans have for Virat Kohli, it’s something special. This was an IPL night match, and fans came dressed in whites to commemorate a moment in Indian cricket history. That’s a beautiful gesture. For five years, he made Test cricket watchable and more popular. We often say no player is bigger than the game, but during a time when Test cricket was struggling to engage fans, Virat gave it the attention it desperately needed. He’s still playing in the IPL, but he always had the desire to keep Test cricket alive. As a captain, I’ve never seen an Indian Test skipper who managed to keep the intensity so high, even when the team wasn’t doing well or when things were drifting. That’s a legacy in itself."

JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar also reflected on Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from Test cricket: "It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era. I tried to reason with him – there were still a few good years of Test cricket left in him. But he had made up his mind. He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back. We must respect that. In our country, letting go is not always appreciated, but Virat chose the right moment. He retired when people were still asking ‘why now?’ – and that’s often the hallmark of a great sportsman."

Speaking on Rajat Patidar’s impact as a captain and a batter this season, Sanjay Bangar offered a balanced analysis: "Sometimes it's just about the number of balls you get to face. If the top order is doing well, your chances are limited. Also, being surrounded by top performers means you shouldn’t read too much into three or four failures. Rajat has embraced responsibility really well. His captaincy has been spot on. He started the season strong with the bat and continues to impress whenever he’s spent time at the crease. In T20s, you’re bound to miss out a few times – it’s just the nature of the format."

Aaron Finch also praised Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and performance since moving to Punjab Kings: "He’s been fantastic – just as he was at KKR. Shreyas is a terrific young leader. Leaving a title-winning side would have hurt, but to carry forward that leadership success into a completely different setup shows his versatility. It’s a new team, a new coach, yet he’s adapted brilliantly. His batting, especially away from home, has been top-notch. Overall, he’s been excellent for the Kings – both as a leader and a player."

Analyzing Mumbai Indians’ turnaround, Sanjay Manjrekar shared insights into the franchise’s late-season form: "I’m not sure their campaign will be derailed, even with a few overseas players like Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks potentially unavailable for key games. They’ve managed to slot players into the right roles. At the start, they looked a bit unsure, but now they seem to have clarity. Suryakumar Yadav is having one of his best IPL seasons. And when it comes to high-pressure situations, MI have players who thrive – Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and even Rohit Sharma, despite his recent form. That’s why they’ve been serial winners. Like CSK had Shane Watson or Mike Hussey come up big in critical moments, MI have their own match-winners. It’s this knack for rising to the occasion that makes them such a dangerous side."

Catch Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings at 3:30 PM, followed by Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans at 7:30 PM today, as teams race to the TATA IPL play-offs — live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network